It’s part of an EU Directive…
New anti-terror laws will be introduced in Ireland that will make it illegal for people to travel to another country to engage in terrorism or join a terror group.
According to The Irish Times, the new laws will be implemented as part of an EU Directive which requires states to implement tougher laws regarding anti-terrorsim.
The EU Directive was created with the aim of responding to the evolving terrorist threat. The Directive aims to strengthen the EU’s legal framework in preventing terrorist attacks by criminalising acts such as receiving training for terrorism and travel for terrorist purposes, as well as organising or facilitating such travel. It also reinforces the rights for the victims of terrorism.
Ireland has yet to implement the laws, and ourselves and the UK are not bound by the Directive but according to the Department of Justice, they fully intend to bring in these changes.
According to the EU Directive, states have 18 months to implement the changes which criminalises the following:
- Travelling for terrorist purposes, to counter in particular the phenomenon of foreign terrorist fighters. The compromise reached between the institutions will ensure that, for example, travel to conflict zones with the purpose to join the activities of a terrorist group or travel to a EU Member State with the purpose to commit a terrorist attack will be made punishable.
- The organisation and facilitation of such travels, including through logistical and material support, for example the purchase of tickets or planning itineraries.
- Receiving training for terrorist purposes, e.g. in the making or use of explosives, firearms, noxious or hazardous substances mirroring the already existing provision of knowingly providing such a training.
- Providing or collecting funds with the intention or the knowledge that they are to be used to commit terrorist offences and offences related to terrorist groups or terrorist activities.
Ireland previously amended its anti-terror laws in 2015 with the Terrorist Offences Act 2015, an amendment of the Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) Act 2005 which created three new offences, including public provocation to commit a terrorist offence, recruitment for terrorism and training for terrorism.
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